Substructure for a construction that is self-supporting without the substructure and use of the substructure

ABSTRACT

Substructure for a construction that is self-supporting without the substructure and use of the substructure. The invention relates to a substructure for a construction that is self-supporting without the substructure, which construction has at least one carrying component accommodating at least one force, wherein the substructure can be arranged relative to the construction in such a way that it is located at least partly in direct proximity to the at least one carrying component, accommodating at least one force, of the construction. The invention also relates to the use of the substructure as an underpinning structure or as a reinforcement for the construction.

The invention relates to a substructure for a construction that isself-supporting without the substructure, which construction has atleast one carrying component accommodating a force. The invention alsorelates to the use of a substructure of this type.

Constructions, of whatever type, have some or other form of carryingcomponents, for example walls, carriers, roof carriers, struts, framesor a carrying structure in general, which impart to the construction itsstatic strength or its static carrying force and make the construction aself-supporting construction. The term “a self-supporting construction”therefore refers to a construction which is, owing to its design havingcarrying components, per se capable of carrying. The constructions aredesigned in such a way that at least one carrying component of theconstruction can accommodate at least one force, generally a pluralityof forces, be it weights, compressive or tensile forces.

Constructions, such as for example houses and buildings, can in thiscase be at least partly protected from atmospheric influences by anexternal cladding and/or a roof. However, there are also constructions,such as for example antenna systems, pylon systems or power pylons,which have for example a latticed carrying structure which is directlyexposed to atmospheric influences.

Irrespective of whether the construction is a closed construction, forexample in the form of a building, or an open construction, for examplein the form of a power pylon having a latticed carrying structure, saidconstructions can change, generally reduce, in particular under theinfluence of weather, above all if they are exposed to weather for yearsand years, their carrying properties, in particular their carryingcapacity, as far as the influence of the forces acting on them isconcerned. Thus, the influence of cold, heat, moisture, snow and icehas, inter alia, repeatedly led to the caving-in of roofs of buildings,in particular of halls, injuring persons. Furthermore, the influence ofcold, heat, moisture, snow, ice and winds has lead to the breakage oflatticed carrying structures, for example of power pylons, as a resultof which the supply of electrical power to a portion of the populationwas interrupted, in some cases for days on end.

The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying asubstructure of the type mentioned at the outset and a use therefor soas to provide at least a certain protection for a construction.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a substructurefor a construction that is self-supporting without the substructure,which construction has at least one carrying component accommodating atleast one force, wherein the substructure can be arranged relative tothe construction in such a way that it is located at least partly indirect proximity to the at least one carrying component, accommodatingat least one force, of the construction. The invention thereforeproposes providing on a self-supporting construction a substructure forprotecting at least one carrying component, accommodating for example aweight, tensile or compressive force, of a construction. Theconstruction can be a building, a pylon or the like, but also a roofstructure, a carrying frame or a carrying structure in general. Thecarrying component of the construction can for example be in the form ofindividual carriers, struts or the like. The substructure is in thiscase, as mentioned hereinbefore, not necessary in order to impart to theconstruction per se its carrying force or carrying capacity, but ratherserves merely to protect the construction, be it in such a way that thesubstructure is at least partly arranged at a specific distance indirect proximity to at least one carrying component, accommodating atleast one force, of the construction or that the substructure evencontacts at least one carrying component, accommodating at least oneforce, of the construction in order if necessary to be able toaccommodate a force or forces.

According to a variant of the invention, the substructure has at leastone structure portion. The substructure or the structure portioncomprises in turn at least one structure element which can for examplebe a rod, a pipe, an angle profile, a cord, a cord net and/or aconnecting element for at least two structure elements of this type. Thesubstructure does not in this case necessarily have to have a pluralityof structure portions, but rather can also have only one structureportion. It is also possible for the structure portion to be or toembody the substructure.

A suitable substructure has been found to be a three-dimensionalframework which generally comprises pipes or rods which are made ofsteel, can be tapered at their ends and can be connected to one anotherusing spherical connecting elements to form larger, in particular staticstructures. Three-dimensional frameworks of this type are known fromMERO-TSK International GmbH & Co. KG having its registered office inWürzburg, Germany. Moreover, the spherical connecting element is alsoreferred to as a so-called Mero node which has a plurality of portionsfor fastening pipes or rods or for connecting pipes and/or rods to oneanother.

Embodiments of the invention make provision for the substructure to havewhat is known as an underpinning structure for at least a part of theconstruction. The term “underpinning” refers in this case to the factthat the substructure is not connected directly to or does not contactat least one carrying component, accommodating a force or forces, forthe introduction of the force or of forces, but rather that theunderpinning structure or a structure portion of the underpinningstructure is located at a specific distance, selected in a definedmanner, from the at least one carrying component of the construction.Preferably, the at least one structure portion of the substructure orthe underpinning structure is located in direct proximity to a carryingcomponent, accommodating a force, of the construction, i.e. at adistance selected in a defined manner from the carrying component, insuch a way that the structure portion or the underpinning structure cansupport the carrying component at least for a specific time duringstatic yielding of the carrying component, accommodating the force, ofthe construction. All references hereinbefore to an arrangement of thestructure portion or of the substructure in direct proximity to thecarrying component of the construction refer to the fact that thedistance between the structure portion or the substructure and thecarrying component of the construction is preferably as small aspossible, but is selected in a defined manner in such a way that, forexample, season-induced and/or weather-induced material expansionsand/or contractions and also oscillations of the carrying component ofthe construction, in a conventional tolerance range which is to beexpected, do not lead to contacting of the substructure or the structureportion with the carrying component of the construction. It is thereforeclear that the distance between the structure portion or thesubstructure and the carrying component is accordingly selected as afunction of the type of the construction and also of the material of thecarrying component and also as a function of the forces and influencesnormally acting on the carrying component, additional account ifappropriate being taken of a safety requirement.

The substructure is provided, for example, for a roof of a building, forexample a hall, wherein the substructure or a structure portion of thesubstructure can run substantially parallel to the roof. If the buildingis for example a hall having a flat roof, then the structure portion orthe substructure runs substantially horizontally parallel to the flatroof, if appropriate so as also to be adapted to the pitch of the roof.However, the structure portion or the substructure can also run in anarcuate manner or in adaptation to the carrying component to beprotected, adapted to the shape thereof.

The substructure or the structure portion of the substructure is locatedat least partly within or below the construction and/or within or belowor next to the carrying component, accommodating at least one force, ofthe construction. For example, the structure portion or the substructurecan be located below a roof structure of a construction or within aceiling or a carrying structure of a construction.

Depending on the design conditions and the requirements placed on theconstruction or the use of the construction, the structure portion orthe substructure can extend, for example in the case of a building, atleast partly through a wall of the construction if said structureportion or said substructure cannot be mounted within the construction.

According to a variant of the invention, the structure portion or thesubstructure can be arranged at least on a support, wherein the supportcan be located within or outside the construction. If the support islocated outside the construction, the substructure or the structureportion of the substructure extends, for example in the case of abuilding, at least partly through a wall of the construction. Should thedesign conditions of the construction and also the use of theconstruction permit it, the substructure or the structure portion of thesubstructure can be mounted at least partly on a part of theconstruction or on an attachment to the construction. For example, thestructure portion or the substructure can be mounted on a part of thewall of a construction or on an attachment to the wall of theconstruction or on a foundation of the construction.

In addition, the substructure can have at least one guy which ispreferably located outside the construction and generally brought aboutusing a cord or pipes.

According to a further variant of the invention, the substructure isprovided for a bridge and can, in particular for this purpose, beembodied in an at least partly arcuate manner.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a measuring means isassociated with the substructure for determining the distance betweenthe carrying component, accommodating at least one force, of theconstruction and the substructure or the structure portion of thesubstructure. A measuring means of this type comprises for example aplurality of distance sensors which can be arranged for example on thesubstructure and detect continuously or at specific discrete points intime measured values from which the distance between the carryingcomponent of the construction and the substructure can be determined. Ifthe distance between the carrying component, accommodating at least oneforce, of the construction and the substructure reaches or even dropsbelow a preferably predefinable limit value, an alarm can be triggeredbased on the measured value or values of the measuring means. Thisallows, on the one hand, changes in the carrying properties of at leastone carrying component of the construction to be registeredcomparatively rapidly and, on the other hand, measures, such as forexample the evacuation of a building, to be introduced in order to avoidinjury to persons, resulting for example from the roof of theconstruction caving in.

According to a variant of the invention, the substructure is locatedpreferably at least partly within the construction and contacts thecarrying component, accommodating the force, of the construction atleast one specific point for the introduction of force from theconstruction into the substructure. Generally, the substructure is inthis case designed and arranged at least partly in the construction insuch a way that the substructure and the force-accommodating carryingcomponent contact each other as continuously as possible for theintroduction of a force from the construction into the substructure.However, it can occasionally occur, depending on the atmosphericconditions and also on the materials of the carrying component of theconstruction and of the substructure, that the carrying component of theconstruction and the substructure do not enter into contact. However,the distance between the carrying component of the construction and thesubstructure is in this case generally so small that, in the case ofmarked stressing of the carrying component of the construction as aresult of the introduction of forces into the carrying component of theconstruction, be it as result of atmospheric influences or otherinfluences, the carrying component of the construction and thesubstructure enter into contact, thus allowing force again to beintroduced from the construction into the substructure. As thesubstructure is generally embodied in such a way that it contacts aplurality of force-accommodating carrying components of the constructionat a plurality of specific points, it is almost impossible, even underdisadvantageous ambient conditions, for there to be any contactwhatsoever between the construction and the substructure. Variants ofthe invention make provision in this case for a structure element of thesubstructure, preferably a connecting element such as the Mero node, tocontact a force-accommodating carrying component of the construction ata specific point for the introduction of force from the constructioninto the substructure.

The substructure is provided, for example, for a construction having alatticed structure and/or carrying structure comprising struts. Aconstruction of this type is for example a pylon, for example a powerpylon. A pylon of this type can have a tower-like pylon body and/or atleast one carrying arm, but generally a plurality of carrying arms,arranged on the pylon body. The substructure is, in the case of a pylonof this type, arranged at least partly in the pylon body and/or in acarrying arm of the pylon body.

In the case of a pylon of this type, provision may be made to have atleast one supporting strut run between a carrying arm of the pylon and astructure portion, arranged in the pylon body, of the substructureand/or between a structure portion, arranged in the carrying arm of thepylon, of the substructure and a structure portion, arranged in thepylon body, of the substructure.

According to a variant of the invention, the substructure can bearranged at least partly on a foundation of the construction. In thecase of the pylon, the foundation of the pylon can for example be usedto arrange the substructure thereon. In addition, provision may in thiscase be made for the substructure at least substantially to follow thelatticed structure of the carrying structure of the pylon. However, thesubstructure does not necessarily have to be arranged on the foundationof the construction or the pylon.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the substructure ispreferably configured in such a way that it can be retrofitted in asimple manner in or on a construction. The retrofitting of thesubstructure does not in this case generally require the use of heavylifting apparatuses or the provision of additional foundations. Inaddition, the substructure, especially if it is embodied as athree-dimensional framework, does not alter the external appearance andalso it does not restrict the use of the construction.

The invention provides for the use of one of the foregoing substructuresfor supporting at least one carrying component, accommodating at leastone force, of a construction in the event of static failure of thecarrying component, accommodating the force, of the construction. Inthis case, the substructure is therefore a pure auxiliary structure forthe purposes of safety, should static failure of a carrying component ofa construction, for example failure of a roof, occur.

However, the substructure can also be used to reinforce aself-supporting construction; this is beneficial when constructions areto be protected, owing to years of operation and owing to atmosphericinfluences acting thereon, wherein in this case the substructure and theconstruction are preferably brought into contact at specific points,thus allowing force to be introduced from the construction into thesubstructure.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the appendedschematic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partly cut-away view of the arrangement of a substructurebelow the roof of a hall;

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view onto the hall from FIG. 1, the coveringhaving been removed and the substructure modified;

FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of an arrangement of a substructureunder the roof of a hall;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic, partly cut-away views of the arrangement ofstructure portions between roof carriers;

FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of an arrangement of a substructureunder the roof of a hall;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a bridge with a substructure arrangedtherebelow;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are two views of a power pylon, provided with asubstructure, for overhead power lines; and

FIG. 10 shows the pylon, provided with an extended substructure, foroverhead power lines from FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 1 is a simplified, partly cut-away view of a hall 1 having, in thecase of the present exemplary embodiment, four carrying walls whichsurround the hall and of which two side walls 2 of the hall 1 are shownin a cut-away view in FIG. 1. Arranged on the side walls 2 are roofcarriers or roof trusses which run between the side walls 2 and of whicha roof carrier 3 is shown in FIG. 1. The side walls 2 are, in the caseof the present exemplary embodiment, structural walls.

The roof carriers 3 of the hall 1 are, in the case of the presentexemplary embodiment, wooden beams extending transversely over the hall1. The wooden beams can be solid wood beams but also beams made of gluedwood. However, it is also possible to make the roof carriers 3 fromsteel or from another suitable material which is capable of carrying. Acovering 4, which is mounted on the roof carriers 3, is arranged on theroof carriers 3 in the case of the present exemplary embodiment. Theroof carriers 3 are carrying components of a carrying or roof structure,carrying the covering 4, of the hall 1. The roof carriers 3 eachaccommodate, as carrying components of the hall 1, a part of the weightof the covering 4 and also further forces acting in particular on thecovering 4, be it compressive or tensile forces or the like.

The roof structure of the hall 1, in particular the roof carriers 3 ofthe hall 1, are subjected to particularly high loads whenever, inaddition to the weight of the covering 4, other loads also act on saidcovering; this can be the case for example in winter, when masses ofsnow and ice are located on the covering 4. Phenomena of ageing andinfluences which can be undesirable, such as for example moistureseeping onto the roof carriers 3 through the covering 4, can causeindividual roof carriers 3 or else all the roof carriers 3 to changetheir carrying properties and no longer to be able permanently towithstand the forces acting thereon, so that in particular in the eventof high loads acting on the roof structure (this can be the case as aresult of masses of snow and ice in winter) there is a risk that theroof will cave in.

It is therefore proposed, as a safety measure, in particular at timeswhen high loads act on the roof carriers, to arrange, in the case of thepresent exemplary embodiment, below the roof structure of the hall 1 orbelow the force-accommodating carrying components in the form of theroof carriers 3, at least one substructure 5 below at least one roofcarrier 3 in such a way that at least one structure portion 6 of thesubstructure 5 is located at least partly in direct proximity to acarrying component, accommodating a force, in the form of a roof carrier3. The substructure can in this case also extend over the entireextension of the roof structure of the hall 1. However, it is alsopossible to assign a substructure of this type only to individual roofcarriers 3 which are exposed to particular loads, or else to arrange thesubstructure, unlike as shown in FIG. 1, at right angles ortransversely, at an angle other than 90°, to the course of the roofcarriers 3. In the case of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, arespective substructure 5 having a structure portion 6 is associatedwith each roof carrier 3.

In the case of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the structureportion 6 of the substructure 5 is arranged on supports 7, 8 of thesubstructure 5 outside the hall 1. In order to be able to bring thisabout, the side walls 2 of the hall 1 each have an opening 9 below aroof carrier 3. However, preferably, an opening 9 is not present, asshown in FIG. 1, directly below a roof carrier 3, but rather arrangedlaterally offset from a roof carrier 3 in order not to lose the carryingcapacity of the side wall 2. In this case, the structure portion 6 isadapted accordingly, i.e. said structure portion has at least onetransverse component to guide the structure portion 6 laterally awayfrom a roof carrier 3 and through the opening, arranged laterally to theroof carrier 3, in the side wall.

The dimensions of the opening 9 are embodied in such a way that thestructure portion 6, which is associated with a roof carrier 3 and has,in the case of the present exemplary embodiment, a beam-like or rightparallelepiped outer structure, can be guided through the opening 9. Aspreviously mentioned, the structure portion 6 is mounted outside thehall 1 on supports 7 and 8.

FIG. 2 shows, in a schematic plan view onto the hall 1 from which thecovering 1 has been removed, a variant of a substructure 5, in which thesubstructure 5 has structure portions 6 which extend transversely overthe hall 1 and which are guided through openings (not shown) in the sidewalls 2 of the hall 1, which are located laterally offset below the roofcarriers 3. The structure portions 6 are in this case mounted outsidethe hall 1 on supports 7. The substructure 5 has in this case one ormore structure portions which are arranged transversely to the structureportions 6 and which are located at least partly in direct proximitybelow the roof carriers 3.

In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, a structure portion 6is embodied as a three-dimensional framework and has accordingly rods 21and/or pipes and also connecting elements 22 for connecting the rodsand/or pipes to one another. The connecting elements are generally whatare known as Mero nodes 22, such as are used for example by MERO-TSKInternational GmbH & Co. KG for constructing three-dimensionalframeworks. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the support8 is also embodied as a three-dimensional framework. However,alternatively, the support can also be, as shown based on the example ofthe support 7, a pylon which is made of wood or steel or anothersuitable material and can be provided with a guy 10 for reinforcing theunderpinning structure 5. The guy 10 is generally a steel cord or a pipesystem which is accordingly fastened in the ground and allowscorresponding bracing of the substructure 5.

Moreover, the openings 9 in the side walls 2 of the hall 1 are, in amanner not illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, accordingly sealed afterpassing through the structure portion 6 or 36 respectively; this can becarried out for example by walling-in, by an internal and externalcladding filled with insulation or in another suitable manner.

As may be seen from FIG. 1, the substructure 5, in particular thestructure portion 6, does not contact the carrying components, in theform of the roof carriers 3, carrying the roof of the hall 1 and thusdoes not display a carrying function for the hall 1 per se, which is aself-supporting construction. The substructure 5, which can also bereferred to as the underpinning structure, is an auxiliary structure andserves to secure the hall 1, in particular to secure the roof or theroof carriers 3 of the hall 1. The underpinning structures 5 and inparticular the structure portions 6 of the substructures 5 have the taskof preventing, in the event of static failure, which has suddenlycommenced or has already been apparent for a certain period of time, ofthe carrying function of a carrying structure such as the roof of thehall 1, the roof from caving in, in the event of one or more roofcarriers 3 breaking, possibly injuring persons in the process. Shouldone or more roof carriers 3 of the hall 1 indeed fail, a respectivestructure portion 6 of a substructure 5 intercepts the failing orbreaking roof carrier 3 and prevents or delays, at least for a specificperiod of time, the roof of the hall 1 from caving in, so that personswho may be in the hall 1 can leave the hall 1 before the hall 1 cavesin. The substructures 5 therefore serve, in the event of failure of theroof structure of the hall 1, to support the roof structure, inparticular the roof carriers 3. The structure portions 6 are in thiscase arranged in direct proximity to the roof carriers 3, the structureportions 6 being located at a distance, which is selected in a definedmanner, below the roof carriers 3.

The variant shown in FIG. 2 of the substructure 5 also displays theeffects described hereinbefore.

FIG. 3 to 5 show, compared to the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, a variant of a substructure 5 for the hall 1. The substructure 5of FIG. 3 has, like that in FIG. 1, structure portions 6 which extendsubstantially parallel to the roof carriers 3 and transversely over thehall 1, although these are arranged, in the case of the exemplaryembodiment shown in FIG. 3, not below a roof carrier 3 but rather, asmay be seen in particular from FIGS. 4 and 5, between or next to theroof carriers 3. FIG. 3 indicates merely schematically a structureportion 6 running between two roof carriers 3. The structure portion 6extends, in a manner comparable to that in FIG. 1, on both sides in eachcase through an opening (not shown) or an aperture in a side wall 2. Theopening is located between two roof carriers 3 and is preferablyprotected by a cap piece. Outside the hall, the structure portion 6 ismounted again on supports 8 and 7.

As may be seen in particular from FIGS. 4 and 5 which show non-exclusiveexamples of possible structure add-ons of the structure portions 6, thestructure portions 6 are connected via cross members 32 or load crossmembers 32 which are arranged below a roof carrier 3 at a specificdistance from the roof carrier 3. In FIGS. 4 and 5, each cross member 32connects two structure portions 6. However, a cross member 32 can alsoconnect a plurality of structure portions 6 or all structure portions 6to one another. A cross member can in this case run parallel to a roofcarrier 3 or else transversely to a roof carrier 3. What matters is thata cross member can, in the event of yielding of a roof carrier 3,intercept the roof carrier 3 and support it at least for a specifictime.

The variant of a substructure according to FIG. 3 to 5 offers theadvantage that almost no ceiling height is lost within the hall as aresult of the substructure, so that the possible uses of the hall arenot restricted.

The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6 differs from the exemplaryembodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that the structure portion 6 of asubstructure 5 is not mounted on supports arranged outside the hall 1.

In the case of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the structureportion 6 of the substructure 5 is mounted on one side on a support 7which is located, as mentioned hereinbefore, within the hall 1 in thecase of the present exemplary embodiment. On the other side of theexemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the structure portion 6 of thesubstructure 5 on a part of the hall 1 is mounted, in the case of thepresent exemplary embodiment, on a bracket 11 of the side wall 2 of thehall 1. As described previously for the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 1, each roof carrier 3 can have associated with it a substructure 5which has a structure portion 6 and can be mounted, as shown in FIG. 6,on a bracket 11 and supports 7. However, the structure portion 6 canalso extend over the entire hall 1 or structure portions 6 can beprovided in various regions of the hall 1. As in the case of theexemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the structure portion 6 of theexemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is also embodied as athree-dimensional framework.

Moreover, any desired mixed forms between the exemplary embodimentsshown in FIG. 1 to 6 are possible, in particular as far as the mountingof a structure portion 6 is concerned. Thus, the structure portions 6 orthe substructures per se can be mounted, for example, only on brackets11 or only on supports 7 or 8 within or outside the hall 1. Alsopossible is the mounting of structure portions, running between roofcarriers, on brackets between the roof carriers, the structure portionsbeing connected via cross members.

In the case of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a measuringmeans is additionally associated with the substructures 5 in each casefor automatically determining the distance between a roof carrier 3 ofthe hall 1 and a structure portion 6 of a substructure 5. In this case,the distance from the structure portion 6 associated with the roofcarrier does not have to be determined in the case of each roof carrier3. The measuring means comprises, in the case of the present exemplaryembodiment, measuring sensors 12, two of which are shown in FIG. 6 andwhich interact with an evaluation unit 13. The measuring sensors 12 canbe mechanical or electronic measuring sensors with, for example, straingauges attached to the measuring sensors, wherein the measuring sensorscan cause for example the closing of an electric switch to trigger analarm signal. The measuring sensors can be measuring sensors whichoperate in a contactless manner, for example ultrasonic sensors, ormeasuring sensors which operate on the basis of contact. For example, ameasuring sensor can contact the roof beam 3 and the structure portion 6and be provided with strain gauges. The measuring sensors 12 are in thiscase connected, in a manner not shown in FIG. 6, to the evaluation unit13, which can be a computing means, for example via cables. The measuredvalues of the measuring sensors 12 can however also be transmitted tothe evaluation unit 13 wirelessly via free electromagnetic waves. If theevaluation unit 13 ascertains that the distance between a roof carrier 3and a structure portion 6 of a substructure 5 reaches or drops below apreferably predefinable limit value, then said evaluation unit can causethe triggering of an alarm, for example an alarm signal in the form of avisual or acoustic alarm signal. The alarm signal has in this case awarning function and instructs, for example, persons in the hall 1 toleave the hall as promptly as possible. An alarm signal can also beforwarded automatically to the police, the fire brigade or otheremergency services.

A further exemplary embodiment, in the case of which a substructure isMused as an underpinning structure, is shown in FIG. 7 for a bridge 14over a river 15. Below the bridge 14, a substructure 16 is arrangedbetween two banks 17. The substructure 16 can also be arranged on afoundation 30, indicated in FIG. 7, for example of a dam 31. Thesubstructure 16 is, in the case of the present exemplary embodiment,formed from a three-dimensional framework 18 and cords 19 and has astructure portion 20 which is arranged roughly in the center of thebridge 14, below the bridge 14, at a specific distance, which isselected in a defined manner, from the bridge 14. The substructure 16is, in the case of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7, embodied ina substantially arcuate manner and serves in turn, in the event of afailure of the bridge 14, be it as a result of excessive loads acting onthe bridge 14 or as a result of ageing phenomena of the bridge 14, tosupport said bridge at least for a specific period of time untilpreferably all persons and vehicles who were on the bridge at the momentof the failure have left the bridge before it caves in.

Moreover, the underpinning structure 16 can also have, in a comparablemanner to the exemplary embodiment described in relation to FIG. 6, ameasuring means for determining the distance between the substructure16, or the structure portion 20 of the substructure 16, and the bridge14. In the case of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3 to 5, atleast one measuring sensor can be associated with at least one crossmember.

The substructure has been described hereinbefore based on the example ofa three-dimensional framework having inter alia pipes, rods and/orconnecting nodes. However, the substructure does not necessarily have tobe embodied in the form of a three-dimensional framework, but rather canalso be a cord structure, for example using cord nets, or a structureusing other suitable materials. As the substructure does not have anycarrying function, it can be embodied in a comparatively compact mannerand is thus suitable for subsequent integration into an existingconstruction.

Furthermore, the underpinning structure can be provided forconstructions other than the roof of a building or a bridge.

Moreover, components which, in the exemplary embodiments shown,correspond at least substantially with regard to their function andconfiguration are provided with the same reference numerals.

FIG. 8 to 10 show further exemplary embodiments of a substructureaccording to the invention, wherein, in the case of the exemplaryembodiments shown in FIG. 8 to 10, the self-supporting construction hasa carrying structure comprising a latticed structure and struts. Theconstruction is in the present case a pylon 40 for overhead power lines.The pylon 40 has a tower-like pylon body 41 and also, in the case of thepresent exemplary embodiment, four carrying arms 42. The pylon 40 isarranged with four feet 43 on a foundation 44. The latticed structure ofthe carrying structure of the pylon 40 comprises interconnected strutsor rods which are generally made of a metal. Pylons 40 of this type areexposed to atmospheric influences for years on end, and this cannegatively influence the carrying structure of the pylon 40 in itscarrying function and its carrying properties. In the past, inparticular under disadvantageous atmospheric conditions, for examplewhen snow and ice cling to the carrying structure of a pylon 40 andexpose said pylon to particular loads, pylons of this type havetherefore broken.

The invention therefore proposes arranging a substructure within aconstruction, which has at least one carrying component accommodating atleast one force, in the case of the present exemplary embodiment withinthe pylon 40 which has components, accommodating at least one force, inthe form of rods 45, in such a way that the substructure contacts thecarrying components, accommodating at least one force, in the form ofrods 45 at specific points for the introduction of force from the pylon40 into the substructure, thus reinforcing the pylon 40 and leading tosubstantial rigidity and an increase in the carrying capacity of thepylon 40.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, a substructure 50 is arranged within the pylon40. The substructure 50 has rod elements 51 and node elements 52connecting said rod elements to one another. As may be seen from FIG. 8,the substructure 50 follows or the rod elements 51, which are connectedto one another via the node elements 52, follow substantially thelatticed structure of the carrying structure of the pylon 40. Thesubstructure 50 is in this case arranged on foot wedges 53 which use asa rest the same foundation 44 as the pylon 40. The substructure 50 isarranged in the pylon 40 in such a way that, in the case of the presentexemplary embodiment, node elements 52 rest against or contact rods 45of the pylon 40, thus allowing force to be introduced into thesubstructure 50 from the pylon 40 via the node elements 52 in order toreinforce the pylon 40. The contacting does not in this case necessarilyhave to take place between a node element 52 and a rod 45. On thecontrary, the contacting can be provided between the substructure andthe pylon via elastomers or buffer elements, for example rubber buffers,or specific screw connections are provided.

The substructure 50 is, in the case of the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 8 two 10, again embodied as a three-dimensional framework in whichthe previously mentioned node elements 52, which can be Mero nodes,connect rod elements 21 or pipe elements 51 to one another. However, thesubstructure 50 does not necessarily have to be embodied as athree-dimensional framework, but rather can also have rods and nodes,angle profiles, cords and other structure elements which in combinationcan be connected to one another so as to form the substructure and canbe made of metallic or other suitable carrying load-accommodatingmaterials.

However, the embodiment of the substructure as a three-dimensionalframework allows comparatively good adaptation to an existing geometrysuch as that of the pylon 40, so that a force can be introduced in thedesired manner, if possible on each node element 52.

The substructure 50 does not in this case necessarily have to reinforcethe pylon 40 completely over its entire internal volume. On thecontrary, it is possible, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, for only a part ofthe tower-like pylon body, which is exposed to particular loads, to havea substructure 50 for the purposes of reinforcement. This produces anembodiment of the reinforcement as a tower in the tower, as a result ofwhich forces can be introduced into the reinforcement comparatively welland comparatively slender embodiments of the reinforcement are possible.In addition, this embodiment of the reinforcement does not take up anyadditional ground area. Moreover, the reinforcement can also be locatedonly in an upper portion of the pylon 40 or of the pylon body 41.

It is however also possible additionally to reinforce all carrying arms42 or, as shown in FIG. 10, the two lower carrying arms 42 partly withthe aid of the substructure 50. The substructure 50 has for this purposetwo further structure portions in the form of the mounts 54.

In order further to increase the load, a supporting strut 55 can bearranged between the carrying arm 42 of the pylon 40 and a structureportion 56, arranged in the pylon body, of the substructure 50 and/orbetween a structure portion 54, arranged in the carrying arm 42 of thepylon 40, of the substructure 50 and a structure portion 56, arranged inthe pylon body, of the substructure 50. Four supporting struts of thistype are shown in FIG. 10.

The reinforcement of a construction with the aid of the substructure hasbeen described hereinbefore based on the example of a pylon, inparticular a pylon for overhead power lines. However, otherconstructions can also be reinforced using a substructure of this type,thus increasing the rigidity and the carrying capacity thereof.

The described substructure can in this case be retrofitted into aconstruction in an advantageously simple manner, as the substructure canbe embodied in a comparatively compact manner.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   1 Hall    -   2 Side wall    -   3 Roof carrier    -   4 Covering    -   5 Substructure    -   6 Structure portion of the substructure    -   7, 8 Supports    -   9 Opening in the side wall    -   10 Guy    -   11 Bracket    -   12 Measuring sensor    -   13 Evaluation unit    -   14 Bridge    -   15 River    -   16 Substructure    -   17 Bank    -   18 Arcuate portion of the substructure    -   19 Cord    -   20 Structure portion of the substructure    -   21 Rod    -   22 Connecting element (Mero node)    -   30 Foundation    -   31 Dam    -   32 Cross member    -   40 Pylon    -   41 Pylon body    -   42 Carrying arm    -   43 Foot of the pylon    -   44 Foundation    -   45 Rod    -   50 Substructure    -   51 Rod element    -   52 Node element    -   53 Foot of the substructure    -   54 Mount (structure portion)    -   55 Supporting strut    -   56 Structure portion

1-32. (canceled)
 33. An underpinning structure a) embodied and intendedfor protecting a construction that is self-supporting without theunderpinning structure; b) wherein the construction has at least onecarrying component accommodating at least one force; characterized inthat: c) the underpinning structure is arranged relative to theconstruction in such a way that it is located at least partly in directproximity to the at least one carrying component, accommodating at leastone force, of the construction; d) wherein the underpinning structure isnot connected directly to the carrying component of the construction forthe introduction of forces, but rather is set apart from the carryingcomponent of the construction; e) wherein the distance is selected insuch a way: e1) that season-induced and/or weather-induced materialexpansions and/or material contractions and/or oscillations of thecarrying component of the construction, in a conventional tolerancerange which is to be expected, do not lead to contacting of theunderpinning structure; and e2) that, however, the underpinningstructure supports the carrying component in the event of a failureand/or static yielding of the carrying component of the construction.34. The underpinning structure as claimed in claim 33, wherein at leasttwo structure elements in the form of a rod, a pipe, an angle profile, acord, a cord net and/or a connecting element are provided.
 35. Theunderpinning structure as claim in claim 33, which has athree-dimensional framework.
 36. The underpinning structure as claim inclaim 33, wherein at least one structure portion of the underpinningstructure is located in direct proximity to the carrying component,accommodating at least one force, of the construction in such a way thatthe structure portion supports the carrying component during yielding ofthe carrying component, accommodating the force, of the construction.37. The underpinning structure as claim in claim 33, embodied andintended for protecting a roof of a building.
 38. The underpinningstructure as claimed in claim 33, wherein at least one structure portionof the underpinning structure runs substantially parallel to the roof.39. The underpinning structure as claim in claim 33, wherein at leastone structure portion of the underpinning structure runs in asubstantially horizontal or arcuate manner.
 40. The underpinningstructure as claim in claim 33, wherein at least one structure portionof the underpinning structure is arranged: at least partly within orbelow the construction; and/or within or below or next to the carryingcomponent, accommodating at least one force, of the construction. 41.The underpinning structure as claim in claim 33, wherein at least onestructure portion of the underpinning structure extends at least partlythrough a wall of the construction.
 42. The underpinning structure asclaim in claim 33, wherein at least one structure portion of theunderpinning structure is arranged on at least one support.
 43. Theunderpinning structure as claimed in claim 33, wherein the support islocated within or outside the construction.
 44. The underpinningstructure as claim in claim 33, wherein at least one structure portionof the underpinning structure is mounted at least partly on a part ofthe construction or on an attachment to the construction.
 45. Theunderpinning structure as claim in claim 33, which has at least one guy.46. The underpinning structure as claim in claim 33, embodied andintended for protecting a bridge.
 47. The underpinning structure asclaim in claim 33, which is embodied in an at least partly arcuatemanner.
 48. The underpinning structure as claim in claim 33, with whicha measuring means is associated for determining the distance between thecarrying component, accommodating at least one force, of theconstruction and at least one structure portion of the underpinningstructure.
 49. The underpinning structure as claimed in claim 33,wherein, based on at least one measured value of the measuring means, analarm can be triggered if the distance between the carrying component,accommodating at least one force, of the construction and the at leastone structure portion of the underpinning structure reaches or dropsbelow a limit value.
 50. The underpinning structure as claim in claim33, which is arranged at least partly on a foundation of theconstruction.